I hear you Robert and Jason, but I stand by my statement.
You are right – it may not be easy to get a job in an LA firm with 8+ years experience, but I believe if you shine brighter than other applicants, you can overcome that.
Win, place, or just enter a design competition or two. Design a new innovative site furnishing prototype and develop cut-sheets for it. Research, write, and submit a white paper to ASLA, APA or AIA on Best Management Practices for day lighting abandoned street car lines in re-emerging neighborhoods. Whatever.
Anything that you can include in your body of work (CV, portfolio) that will make you stand out in the eyes of an employer. Lets face it – most of us possess roughly the same set of design skills. Some may be better at sketching, some at technical details, some better with digital 3D modeling or public speaking. Many firms are looking for people that are passionate and curious learners above and beyond the basic skills we all should have developed after 5 years of school and 8 years of practice.
I am not trying minimize your accomplishments or struggles, just offering an alternate viewpoint.
